Low profile fluid quick connector

ABSTRACT

A fluid quick connector sealingly latches first and second components, one of which has a through bore and the other has a raised bead spaced from a tip end. A retainer is mountable through a transverse bore in one end of the first component and latched to the first component by projections carried on a pair of legs. A flange on the retainer is positioned to engage a surface of the first component to position the retainer on the first component. Inner disposed arms on the retainer engage a constant diameter portion of the second component and resist movement of the raised bead into or out of the bore in the housing when the retainer is in a fully latched position. The flange on the retainer is spaced from the legs of the retainer to enable the legs to be of minimal thickness for a reduced axial length for the retainer.

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to fluid quickconnectors which couple male and female connector components.

[0002] Snap-fit or quick connectors are employed in a wide range ofapplications, particularly, for joining fluid carrying conduits inautomotive and industrial application. Such quick connectors utilizeretainers or locking elements for securing a male connector component,such as a tubular conduit, within a complimentary bore of a femaleconnector component or housing. Such retainers are typically of eitherthe axially-displaceable or radially-displaceable type. The terms“axially-displaceable” or “radially-displaceable” are taken relative tothe axial bore through the female component.

[0003] In a typical quick connector with an axially displaceable,retainer, the retainer is mounted within a bore in a housing of thefemale connector component of housing. The retainer has a plurality ofradially and angularly extending legs which extend inwardly toward theaxial center line of the bore in the housing. A tube or male componentto be sealingly mounted in the bore in the female component includes aradially upset portion or flange which abuts an inner peripheral surfaceof the retainer legs. Seal and spacer members as well as a bearing ortop hat are typically mounted in the bore ahead of the retainer to forma seal between the housing and the male fitting when the male fitting islockingly engaged with the retainer legs in the housing.

[0004] Radially displaceable retainers are also known in which theretainer is radially displaceable through aligned bores or aperturesformed transversely to the main throughbore in the female componenthousing. Examples of radially displaceable retainers are shown in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,542,716, 5,730,481, 5,782,502, 5,863,077 and 5,951,063. Theradially displaceable retainer is typically provided with a pair ofdepending legs which are sized and positioned to slip behind theradially upset portion or flange on the male conduit only when the maleconnector or conduit is fully seated in the bore in the femalecomponent. This ensures a positive locking engagement of the conduitwith the female component as well as providing an indication that theconduit is fully seated since the radially displaceable retainer can befully inserted into the female component only when the conduit has beenfully inserted into the bore in the female component.

[0005] Regardless of the type of retainer, the female housing orcomponent portion of a fluid connector typically includes an elongatedstem having one or more annular barbs spaced from a first end. The barbsprovide secure engagement with a hose or conduit which is forced overthe barbs to connect the female housing with one end of the conduit.

[0006] With transverse mounted, radially displaceable retainers as wellas axially mounted retainers, the distance between the axially outer endof the tube bead or flange and the opposite end of the connectorhousing, in an installed position, is a concern. Typically, the lengthof the retainer must be long enough to insure a fully inserted positionof the tubular member in the housing when the retainer is in the latchedposition. Further, the length of the retainer must be such to avoidlatching of the tubular member in the housing axially ahead of the tubebead.

[0007] These features have not been able to be provided in a shortlength quick connect suitable usable in applications having limitedspace.

[0008] Thus, it would be desirable to provide a low profile fluid quickconnector having a reduced axial length which maintains all of the fullinsertion, high pull-out force resistance features of quick connectorshaving transversely mounted, radially displaceable retainers.

SUMMARY

[0009] The present invention is a low profile fluid quick connectorwhich has a reduced axial length as compared to previously devised fluidquick connectors while still maintaining all of the required quickconnector features of full insertion capability and high pull-out forceresistance.

[0010] The fluid quick connector of the invention is useable with anendform having a radially enlarged flange spaced from a tip end. Thequick connector includes a housing having a through bore extendingbetween first and second ends and a transverse bore intersecting thethrough bore adjacent the first end of the housing. A retainer has firstand second spaced legs extending from a central wall, which first andsecond legs are mountable through the transverse bore in the housing.

[0011] Lock members carried on the first and second legs are slidinglyengagable with the housing when the retainer in mounted in the housing.The lock members are engagable with two distinct portions of the housingto define a temporary, shipping position allowing full insertion of theendform into the bore in the housing and a fully latched positionlocking the endform in a sealed condition in the housing.

[0012] First and second arms are formed on the body interiorly of thefirst and second legs. The first and second arms are spaced apart adistance less than an outer diameter of the annular flange on the endform to block the flange on the endform from separating from thehousing.

[0013] In one aspect of the invention, at least one flange is carried onthe retainer and slidingly engagable with the housing when the retaineris coupled to the housing. The at least one flange, which in anotheraspect of the invention is two laterally spaced flanges, is engagablewith an exterior surface of the housing to position the first and secondarms on the retainer in an axial position with respect to the housing toprevent contact between a seal member mounted within the bore in thehousing and a tip end of the endform in the event that the retainer isin the fully latched position prior to insertion of the endform into thebore in the housing. This non-seal insertion blocking feature isprovided with a minimal axial overall length of the retainer whichreduces the overall length of the housing to facilitate use of thepresent connector in restricted space applications.

[0014] In one aspect, the at least one flange or pair of flanges isformed on an end portion of the retainer and is engagable with anexterior surface at the first end of the housing.

[0015] In another aspect, the at least one flange or pair of flanges iscarried on the retainer to engage lateral grooves in the exterior of thehousing spaced from the first end of the housing.

[0016] In another aspect, the present invention is a fluid quickconnector formed of a housing and retainer as defined above which isadapted for sealingly and lockingly receiving a tubular endform.

[0017] The fluid quick connector of the present invention provides allof the requirements of a fluid quick connector in so far as providingfull insertion capability of an endform into the bore in the housing ofthe quick connector while preventing contact between the endform and theseals mounted within the bore in the housing if the retainer in thefully latched position in the housing prior to insertion of the endforminto the bore in the housing. This prevents a false seal indication forthe quick connect. At the same time, the fluid quick connector of thepresent invention has a reduced axial length thereby facilitating itsuse in applications having restricted space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0018] The various features, advantages and other uses of the presentinvention will become more apparent by referring to the followingdetailed description and drawing in which:

[0019]FIG. 1 is a partially exploded, perspective view of one aspect ofa quick connector according to the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the retainer shown in FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 3 is an elevational view of one end of the retainer shown inFIG. 2;

[0022]FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the opposite end of the retainershown in FIG. 2;

[0023]FIG. 5 is a bottom elevational view of the housing of the quickconnector shown in FIG. 1;

[0024]FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of the housing shown in FIG. 1;

[0025]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view generally taken along line 7-7 inFIG. 6;

[0026]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the quick connector depictedin FIG. 1 with the retainer shown in the shipping position and the tubedisposed in a non-fully inserted, non-latched position;

[0027]FIG. 9 is a plan elevational view of the quick connector shown inFIG. 8;

[0028]FIG. 10 is a generally cross-sectional view, taken along line 10in FIG. 9;

[0029]FIG. 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 10of the quick connector, but with the tube endform and the retainer,depicted in the fully latched position;

[0030]FIG. 12 is a partially exploded, perspective view of anotheraspect of a quick connector according to the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the one end of a retainer shownin FIG. 12;

[0032]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the opposite end of the retainershown in FIG. 12;

[0033]FIG. 15 is a bottom elevational view of the housing of the quickconnector shown in FIG. 12;

[0034]FIG. 16 is an end elevational view of the housing shown in FIG.12;

[0035]FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view generally taken along line 17-17in FIG. 16;

[0036]FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the quick connector depictedin FIG. 1 with the retainer shown in the shipping position and the tubedisposed in a non-fully inserted, non-latched position;

[0037]FIG. 19 is a plan elevational view of the quick connector shown inFIG. 18;

[0038]FIG. 20 is a cross-section view generally taken along line 20-20in FIG. 19; and

[0039]FIG. 21 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, similar to FIG.20, but with the tube endform and the retainer depicted in the fullylatched position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 1-11 of the drawing, there is depicted a fluidquick connector 10 suitable for interconnecting two fluid operativeelements, such as conduits, tubes, as well as endforms carried on fluidoperative devices, such as pumps, fuel filters, valves, valve manifolds,etc.

[0041] Thus, the quick connector 10 of the present invention, in thefollowing example, will be incorporated in a first component 12 and asecond component 14 which are sealingly joinable and held in a sealed,locked position by a retainer means 16. Each of the first and secondcomponents 12 and 14, as described above, may be formed as the endportion or endform of a fluid operative device, such as a conduit, pump,fuel filter, etc., or as separate elements each of which receives and isfluidically coupled to a fluid operative device, such as a conduit bymeans of conduit retention barbs, etc.

[0042] The particular shape of the endform of the first and secondcomponents 12 and 14 can be integrally formed on the end of an elongatedmetal or plastic tube or on a stem extending outward from a fluid usedevice.

[0043] The first component 12 includes a housing 20 having an elongated,axially extending, internal stepped bore 22, shown in detail in FIG. 10,extending from a large diameter first, open end 24 to a smallerdiameter, second open end 26. The stepped bore 22 includes a first boreportion 21 extending from an opening at the first end 24 of the housing20 to a second smaller diameter second stepped bore portion 23. A thirdyet smaller diameter stepped bore portion 25 extends axially from oneend of the second stepped bore portion 23 and communicates to a stillsmaller fourth stepped bore portion 27 which extends to the open secondend 26 of the housing 20.

[0044] As is conventional, a top hat or bearing 34 is mounted in thesecond stepped bore portion 23 immediately adjacent the end of the firstbore portion 21. A seal means 30 is also mounted in the second steppedbore portion 23 between one end of the top hat 34 and the third steppedbore portion 25. The seal means 30 may include one or more O-ring seals31 spaced by a spacer member 33.

[0045] The inner diameter of the first stepped bore portion 21 is sizedto slidably receive the outer diameter of the radially enlarged flangeor upset bead 18 formed on the male component or fitting 14. Further,the inner diameters of the seal members 31 and 33 and the top hat 34 aresized to sealingly engage the outer diameter of an end portion 11 of themale component 14 extending from a radially enlarged flange 18 to a tipend 13 of the male component 14. The third stepped bore portion 25 hasan inner diameter sized to snugly engage the outer diameter of the endportion 11 of the male component 14 when the male component 14 is fullyinserted into the stepped bore 22 as described hereafter shown in FIG.11.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5-7, the housing 20 has an enlarged endportion adjacent the first end 24. The enlarged end portion denoted byreference number 60 is enlarged at least in the lateral direction fromthe outer diameter of the housing 20 surrounding the second bore portion23. The enlarged end portion 60 is defined by first and second opposed,longer length, major sides 62 and 64 and opposed, intermediate sides 66and 68, all of which are depicted as having a planar shape, which willbe understood to be by example only.

[0047] An intermediate aperture, generally in the form of a slot 70 isformed in the enlarged end portion 60 extending inward from the side 62into the first open end 24 of the housing 20. The opposed edge of theaperture in the first end 24 is closed by the side 64.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the intermediate sides 66 and 68project laterally outward from the outer diameter of the adjacentportion of the housing 20. A pair of opposed, internal slots 72 and 74project through the enlarged end portion 60 to open ends 76 and 78,respectively, in the side 64 as shown in FIG. 5.

[0049] A retainer means 16 is by way of example only, depicted as aradially-displaceable retainer having side locking projections. Theretainer 16 is preferably formed of a one-piece body of a suitableplastic, such as polyketone, for example. The retainer 16 has an endwall 80 which is characterized by a planar shape, again only by example.First and second side legs 82 and 84 project from the end wall 80 fromopposite ends of the end wall 80. A hook-shaped latch projection 86 and88 is formed adjacent the end of each of the side legs 82 and 84 forlatching the retainer 16 to the housing 20 as described hereafter.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 6, a pair of axially extending notches 90 and 92are formed in the enlarged end portion 60 of the housing 20 and extendaxially inward from communication with the open first end 24 of the bore22 substantially through the entire depth of the enlarged end portion60. The notches 90 and 92 have a receiver end 94 and 96, respectively,formed therein which is complimentary to the shape of the hook-likeprojections 86 and 88 on the side legs 82 and 84 of the retainer 16. Thehook projections 86 and 88 and the notches 90 and 92 cooperate to definea temporary, storage or shipping position for the retainer 16 in thehousing 20 as shown in FIGS. 1, 8, 9 and 10. In this position, theretainer 16 is firmly attached to the housing 20 for shipping andstorage prior to use. At the same time, the second component 14 may beinserted through the open first end 24 of the housing 20 into a fullyinserted, sealed position in the stepped bore 22 in the housing 20 asshown in FIGS. 1 and 11.

[0051] If the retainer 16 is further inserted from the temporaryshipping position shown in FIG. 1 to a fully inserted position shown inFIG. 10, prior to full insertion of the second component 14 into thebore 22, a radial flange engaging means 100 carried on the retainer 16will intersect the enlarged bead 18 on the second component 14 andprevent full insertion of the second component 14 into the housing 20.

[0052] The radial flange engaging means 100 is defined by a pair ofdepending arms 102 and 104 which are spaced generally in parallel andextend from the end wall 80 of the retainer 16. Each arm 102 and 104 hasan enlarged end 106 and 108 which is adapted to engage the generallyconstant diameter of the end portion 11 of the second component 14 andbe urged radially outward enabling the arms 102 and 104 to slide aroundand then snap back into registry with the outer diameter of the tubularend 11 of the second component 14. An inner edge 110 between the arms102 and 104 defines a generally circular cross section having an innerdiameter complimentary to the outer diameter of the tubular end 11 ofthe second component 14. It should be noted that the diameter of theinner edge 110 is smaller than the outer diameter of the raised bead orflange on the second component 14. In this manner, the arms 102 and 104define a barrier to entry of the raised bead 18 of the second component14 into the open end 24 of the housing 20, if the retainer 16 isinserted to the fully latched position shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 priorto full insertion of the second component 14 into the bore 22 in thehousing 20.

[0053] On the other hand, if the retainer 16 is separate from thehousing 20 or in the shipping position shown in FIG. 1, the raised bead18 on the second component 14 can be inserted through the open end 24 ofthe bore 22 in the housing 20 to the fully inserted, sealed positionshown in FIG. 11. In this position, full insertion of the latch 16 intothe housing 20 will enable the hook projections 86 and 88 to slidethrough the openings 72 and 74 in the enlarged end portion 60 of thehousing 20 and through the open ends 76 and 78 to hook around thesurrounding portions of the side 64 of the enlarged end portion 60 tolock the retainer 16 in the fully latched position shown in FIG. 11.

[0054] The retainer 16 is further maintained in a fixed position on thehousing 20 in either the shipping position shown in FIG. 1 or the fullylatched position shown in either of FIG. 10 or 11 by means of a pair ofside flanges or wings 120 and 122 which have a narrow thickness andprojection or extent from one edge of the wall 80 of the retainer 16 asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The side wings 120 and 122 are axially spacedfrom the side legs 82 and 84 on the retainer 16 by a short distancesufficient to enable the side wings 120 and 122 to be disposedexteriorly of the outer surface of the enlarged end portion 60 as shownin FIG. 1

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 12-21 there is depicted another aspect of afluid quick connector 210 suitable for interconnecting two fluidoperative elements, such as conduits, tubes, as well as endforms carriedon fluid operative devices, such as pumps, fuel filters, valves, valvemanifolds, etc.

[0056] The quick connector 210 of this aspect, in the following example,will be incorporated in a first component 212 and a second component 214which are sealingly joinable and held in a sealed, locked position by aretainer means 216. Each of the first and second components 212 and 214,as described above, may be formed as the end portion or endform of afluid operative device, such as a conduit, pump, fuel filter, etc., oras separate elements each of which receives and is fluidically coupledto a fluid operative device, such as a conduit by means of conduitretention barbs, etc.

[0057] The particular shape of the endform of the first and secondcomponents 212 and 214 can be integrally formed on the end of anelongated metal or plastic tube or on a stem extending outward from afluid use device.

[0058] The first component 212 includes a housing 220 having anelongated, axially extending, internal stepped bore 222, shown in detailin FIGS. 20 and 21, extending from a large diameter first, open end 224to a smaller diameter, second open end 226. The stepped bore 222includes a first bore portion 221 extending from an opening at the firstend 224 of the housing 220 to a second smaller diameter second steppedbore portion 223. A third yet smaller diameter stepped bore portion 225extends axially from one end of the second stepped bore portion 223 andcommunicates to a still smaller fourth stepped bore portion 227 whichextends to the open second end 226 of the housing 220.

[0059] As is conventional, a top hat or bearing 234 is mounted in thesecond stepped bore portion 223 immediately adjacent the end of thefirst bore portion 221. A seal means 230 is also mounted in the secondstepped bore portion 223 between one end of the top hat 234 and thethird stepped bore portion 225. The seal means 230 may include one ormore O-ring seals 231 spaced by a spacer member 233.

[0060] The inner diameter of the first stepped bore portion 221 is sizedto slidably receive the outer diameter of the radially enlarged flangeor upset bead 218 formed on the male component or fitting 214. Further,the inner diameters of the seal members 231 and 233 and the top hat 234are sized to sealingly engage the outer diameter of an end portion 211of the male component 214 extending from a radially enlarged flange 218to a tip end 213 of the male component 214. The third stepped boreportion 225 has an inner diameter sized to snugly engage the outerdiameter of the end portion 211 of the male component 214 when the malecomponent 214 is fully inserted into the stepped bore 222 as describedhereafter shown in FIG. 21.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 15-17, the housing 220 has an endportion 260 adjacent the first end 224. The end portion may be enlargedat least in the lateral direction from the outer diameter of the housing220 surrounding the second bore portion 223. The end portion 260 isdefined by first and second opposed, longer length, major sides 262 and264 and opposed, intermediate sides 266 and 268, all of which aredepicted as having a planar shape, which will be understood to be byexample only.

[0062] An intermediate aperture, generally in the form of a slot 270, isformed in the end portion 260 extending inward from the side 262 intothe first open end 224 of the housing 220. The opposed edge of theaperture 270 in the first end 224 is closed by the side 264.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the intermediate sides 266 and 268project laterally outward from the outer diameter of the adjacentportion of the housing 220. A pair of opposed, internal slots 272 and274 project through the end portion 260 to open ends 276 and 278,respectively, in the side 264 as shown in FIG. 15.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 12, 15 and 17-21, the housing 220 has a pair ofside, opposed recesses or grooves formed between one end of the endportion 260 of the housing 220 and a flange 279 projecting radiallyoutward from the housing 220 and axially spaced from one end of theenlarged end portion 260.

[0065] A retainer means 216, hereafter retainer 216, is by way ofexample only, depicted as a radially-displaceable retainer having sidelocking projections. The retainer 216 is preferably formed of aone-piece body of a suitable plastic, such as polyketone, for example.The retainer 216 has an end wall 280 which is characterized by anarcuate shape, again only by example. First and second side legs 282 and284 project from the end wall 280 from opposite ends of the end wall280. A hook-shaped latch projection 286 and 288 is formed adjacent theend of each of the side legs 282 and 284 for latching the retainer 216to the housing 220 as described hereafter.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 16 a pair of axially extending notches290 and 292 are formed in the end portion 260 of the housing 220 andextend axially inward from communication with the open first end 224 ofthe bore 222 substantially through the entire depth of the enlarged endportion 260. The notches 290 and 292 have a receiver end 294 and 296,respectively, formed therein which is complimentary to the shape of thehook-like projections 286 and 288 on the side legs 282 and 284 of theretainer 216. The hook projections 286 and 288 and the notches 290 and292 cooperate to define a temporary, storage or shipping position forthe retainer 216 in the housing 220 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 18. In thisposition, the retainer 216 is firmly attached to the housing 220 forshipping and storage prior to use. At the same time, the secondcomponent 214 may be inserted through the open first end 224 of thehousing 220 into a fully inserted, sealed position in the stepped bore222 in the housing 220 as shown in FIG. 21.

[0067] If the retainer 216 is further axially inserted from thetemporary shipping position shown in FIG. 12 to a fully insertedposition shown in FIG. 20, prior to full insertion of the secondcomponent 214 into the bore 222, a radial flange engaging means 300carried on the retainer 216 will intersect the enlarged bead or flange218 on the second component 214 and prevent full insertion of the secondcomponent 214 into the housing 220.

[0068] The radial flange engaging means 300 is defined by a pair ofdepending arms 302 and 304 which are spaced generally in parallel andextend from the end wall 280 of the retainer 216. Each arm 302 and 304has an enlarged end 306 and 308 which is adapted to engage the generallyconstant diameter of the end portion 211 of the second component 214 andbe urged radially outward enabling the arms 302 and 304 to slide aroundand then snap back into registry with the outer diameter of the tubularend 211 of the second component 214. An inner edge 310 between the arms302 and 304 defines a generally circular cross section having an innerdiameter complimentary to the outer diameter of the tubular end 211 ofthe second component 214. It should be noted that the diameter of theinner edge 310 is smaller than the outer diameter of the raised bead orflange 218 on the second component 214. In this manner, the arms 306 and308 define a barrier to entry of the raised bead 218 of the secondcomponent 214 into the open end 224 of the housing 220, if the retainer216 is inserted to the fully latched position shown in FIG. 20 prior tofull insertion of the second component 214 into the bore 222 in thehousing 220.

[0069] On the other hand, if the retainer 216 is separate from thehousing 220 or in the shipping position shown in FIG. 1, the raised bead218 on the second component 214 can be inserted through the open end 224of the bore 222 in the housing 220 to the fully inserted, sealedposition shown in FIG. 21. In this position, full insertion of the latch216 into the housing 220 will enable the hook projections 286 and 288 toslide through the openings 272 and 274 in the enlarged end portion 260of the housing 220 and through the open ends 276 and 278 to hook aroundthe surrounding portions of the side 264 of the enlarged end portion 260to lock the retainer 216 in the fully latched position shown in FIG. 21.

[0070] The retainer 16 is further axially maintained in a position onthe housing 220 in either the shipping position shown in FIG. 12 or thefully latched position shown in either of FIG. 20 or 21 by means of atleast one and possibly a pair of flanges 320 and 322 which project orextend from one end of the end wall 280 of the retainer 216 as shown inFIGS. 12, 13 and 14. The flanges 320 and 322 are axially spaced from theside legs 282 and 284 on the retainer 216 to enable the flanges 320 and322 to engage a shoulder 323 in grooves or recesses 275 and 277 on thehousing 220 between the flange 279 and the enlarged end portion 260 ineither of the shipping position shown in FIGS. 12 and 18 and the fullylatched position.

[0071] In summary, there has been disclosed a fluid quick connectorwhich has a reduced axial length thereby enabling the use of a fluidquick connector in applications having confined or limited access space.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fluid quick connector comprising: an endformhaving a radially enlarged flange spaced from a tip end; a housinghaving a through bore extending between first and second ends and atransverse bore intersecting the through bore; a retainer having firstand second spaced legs extending from a wall, the first and second legsmountable through the transverse bore in the housing to releasably latchthe retainer to the housing; first and second arms formed on theretainer interiorly of the first and second legs, the first and secondarms spaced apart a distance less than an outer diameter of the flangeon the endform; and at least one flange carried on the retainer, the atleast one flange slidingly engagable with the housing when the retaineris coupled to the housing.
 2. The quick connector of claim 1 wherein:the at least one flange on the retainer is axially spaced from the firstand second legs.
 3. The quick connector of claim 1 wherein: the firstend of the housing defines an aperture for receiving ends of the firstand second of the retainer legs therethrough into a position latchingthe retainer to the housing.
 4. The quick connector of claim 1 whereinthe housing further comprises: a surface on the first end of the housinghaving opposed sides projecting outwardly from the housing; and anaperture in the surface receiving the first and second arms.
 5. Thequick connector of claim 1 wherein: the first and second arms extendsubstantially axially between the at least one flange and the first andsecond legs.
 6. The quick connector of claim 1 further comprising:means, carried on the first and second legs of the retainer and in thehousing, for latching the retainer in a partially inserted position inthe transverse bore in the housing, the retainer, when in the partiallyinserted position, allowing full insertion of the endform into the borein the housing.
 7. The quick connector of claim 1 wherein the at leastone flange comprises: two flanges carried on the retainer.
 8. The quickconnector of claim 1 further comprising: a shoulder carried on thehousing, the at least one flange engagable with the shoulder.
 9. Thequick connector of claim 8 wherein: the shoulder is defined by opposedgrooves in the exterior of the housing.
 10. The quick connector of claim4 wherein: the aperture in the surface on the first end of the housingopens to the transverse bore in the housing.
 11. A fluid quick connectoradapted for sealingly receiving an endform having a radially enlargedflange spaced from a tip end, the fluid quick connector comprising: ahousing having a through bore extending between first and second endsand a transverse bore intersecting the through bore, a retainer havingfirst and second spaced legs extending from a wall, the first and secondlegs mountable through the transverse bore in the housing to releasablylatch the retainer to the housing; first and second arms formed on theretainer interiorly of the first and second legs, the first and secondarms spaced apart a distance less than an outer diameter of the flangeon the endform; and at least one flange carried on the retainer, the atleast one flange slidingly engageable with the housing when the retaineris coupled to the housing.
 12. The quick connector of claim 11 wherein:the at least one flange on the retainer is axially spaced from the firstand second legs.
 13. The quick connector of claim 11 wherein: the firstend of the housing defines an aperture for receiving ends of the firstand second of the retainer legs therethrough into a position latchingthe retainer to the housing.
 14. The quick connector of claim 11 whereinthe housing further comprises: a surface on the first end of the housinghaving opposed sides projecting outwardly from the housing; and anaperture in the surface receiving the first and second arms.
 15. Thequick connector of claim 11 wherein: the first and second arms extendsubstantially axially between the at least one flange and the first andsecond legs.
 16. The quick connector of claim 11 further comprising:means, carried on the first and second legs of the retainer and in thehousing, for latching the retainer in a partially inserted position inthe transverse bore in the housing, the retainer, when in the partiallyinserted position, allowing full insertion of the endform into the borein the housing.
 17. The quick connector of claim 11 wherein the at leastone flange comprises: two flanges carried on the retainer.
 18. The quickconnector of claim 11 further comprising: a shoulder carried on thehousing, the at least one flange engagable with the shoulder.
 19. Thequick connector of claim 18 wherein: the shoulder is defined by opposedgrooves in the exterior of the housing.
 20. The quick connector of claim11 wherein: the aperture in the surface on the first end of the housingopens to the transverse bore in the housing.
 21. The quick connector ofclaim 111 further comprising: at least one seal mounted in the throughbore in the housing for sealing engagement with a tip end of an endform.